Cotswold Fayre identifies top food and drink trends for 2018

As 2017 draws to a close, Cotswold Fayre reflects on the year’s trends and what retailers should be stocking over the coming months and year ahead

Paul Hargreaves, chief executive at Cotswold Fayre, has noted four key upcoming trends which he predicts will continue to grow and that retailers need to be aware of: premium alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, meat-reducing diets and high protein products.

Premium alcoholic drinks

Paul says, “Craft beers and ciders as well as premium spirits have seen tremendous growth during 2017, and this is set to continue in 2018. More and more new brands are setting up small distilleries and breweries to enter the market as it is easier than ever to do so. Vodka is even said to be the new gin – although I don’t expect gin sales to slow anytime soon.”

Try one of Cotswold Fayre’s new premium alcoholic drinks suppliers available in 2018: West Berkshire Brewery, offering high quality, distinctive and award-winning real ales.

Non-alcoholic drinks, fuelled by millennials

Paul says, “Younger people, millennials, are drinking less than their Generation X forerunners, so as well as the growth in premium alcohol, sales will continue to increase in premium non-alcoholic drinks.

“There is even a non-alcoholic botanical gin yet it sits at the same price point as a bottle of craft gin with 40% alcohol and 60% duty! One of Cotswold Fayre’s top selling products is currently an elderflower sparkling drink 'masquerading' as champagne by Braes o Gowrie.”

Try one of Cotswold Fayre’s new non-alcoholic drinks suppliers available in 2018: Fiovana’s range of superfruit cordials made using coconut nectar and no artificial ingredients.

Veganism and meat-reducing diets

Paul says, “Meat-reducing diets and complete veganism are widely reported as being the largest current global trend in the world of food. There is still a need for vegetarian products replicating meat items, so we have vegetarian sausages and veggie burgers. More recently, however, plant-based diets are being celebrated for what they are – glorious vegetables! This means interesting and unusual fruits and vegetables, such as jack fruit and dragon fruit, are proving very popular on their own and as ingredients.

“Secondly, meat-reducing diets mean that consumers are eating meat less often and in turn buying less but spending more per gram on meat. Premium meat therefore comes in to play as when consumers do want to consume meat they are looking for high quality and ethically sourced products.”

Try Cotswold Fayre’s new vegetarian food supplier available in 2018: Golfera, offering a variety of vegan burgers and slices.

High protein foods

Paul says, “Foods that are high in protein, but not meat, are gathering huge momentum. All sorts of products are being marketed as high protein, but particularly among the snacking category. Similarly, plant-based proteins are predicted to fly in 2018 with the increased demand for high protein foods and rise in flexitarian diets.

“In fact, 2017 was set to be the year of the insect so we introduced an insect range to our portfolio at the beginning of the year but this did not really take-off with our customers. Perhaps 2018 is too early still for edible insects to fly!”

Try Cotswold Fayre’s new supplier available in 2018: Upton’s range of vegan cooking sauces using jackfruit – available in original, smoky barbecue and Thai flavours.

With the sugar tax also coming into play in April 2018, Paul comments on expectations for which areas may prove less popular in the year ahead.

He says, “Among soft drinks, I would expect full sugar drinks to decline and low calorie options to increase. However, it remains to be seen whether other sugar-rich products will also come under pressure, such as cakes, biscuits and confectionery.”

In 2018, Cotswold Fayre will be introducing 35 new ambient suppliers to its range of fine food and a further 40 chilled new suppliers throughout 2018.

Retailers can see and taste the new product ranges as well as meet the people who make them at one of Cotswold Fayre’s six new product launch shows from January 16th until February 1st 2018.